Boxing News Boxing News
“Shobox: The New Generation’’ Friday, Feb. 16, 2007; Telecast Begins at 11 p.m. ET/PT
Looking for a real fight? “ShoBox: The New Generation” will present yet another terrific showdown when Mike “Machine Gun’’ Oliver (17-0, seven KOs) defends his USBA junior featherweight title against Gary “Kid” Stark Jr. (18-0, eight KOs) in the main event Friday, Feb. 16, on Showtime starting at 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast.
The co-feature will pit unbeaten Derek “Pooh’’ Ennis (10-0-1, seven KOs) against Allen “The Dream Shatterer’’ Conyers (10-2, eight KOs ) in an eight-round junior middleweight scrap. The excellent DiBella Entertainment doubleheader will originate from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami , Okla.
Mike Oliver: “I have fought on television before but my dream has always been to fight on Showtime, so this is like a dream come true for me. I am excited and looking forward to fighting and putting on a show. I feel great and am in top shape. They say this is supposed to be the toughest fight for both of us, but I have been in the game longer, so I believe it will be the toughest fight for Stark, not me. I will fight anyone”.
“I am coming in as an underdog and as the champion, which gives me a lot more motivation. But I don’t know what Stark has done; he sure hasn’t fought anybody. He should feel blessed that he is getting to fight for a title. Really, I don’t know how or why I am an underdog. To me, a fight is a fight.
“Style-wise, this could turn out to be any kind of a fight. It depends on what he wants to do. I can box or brawl and I do better than he does in each. I am definitely confident I will win.’
Derek Ennis: “I am ready to fight so I do not have much to say except that fighting on “ShoBox” on Showtime in an opportunity of a lifetime for me. I have trained really hard. It is great to have a fight happen and not fall out. I haven’t fought since April but that is because so many of my fights have fallen out.
“It gets really frustrating; your fight is on one day, the next day it is off. So I always was in the gym. I am very happy that this fight is happening. I have fought and sparred with a bunch of taller guys, so I do not see a problem. “This is going to be a great fight. He (Conyers) had better be ready. I know I will win.’’
Allen Conyers: “I have never seen Ennis; all I know is that he is 5-foot-6 and an up-and-comer, but I have never lost to a guy 5-foot-6 in anything. They say he is a strong guy, but I am a strong guy, too. In fact, I feel I will be stronger than he is.
“I am moving up some in weight but that should not be a problem. I feel really strong and comfortable and I am totally injury-free. I am ready to go eight rounds, but I am not sure it will last that long.
“The plan is too keep him on the outside with the jab. He is 5-foot-6 and I am 5-foot-11, so I know he is going to want to try to get inside. But, if he can’t and tries to run, I am prepared to cut the ring off on him. I am a pressure fighter anyway.
“I am 30, but I am a young 30. I am really focused. You will see Friday night. I am fresh and ready to go. This is going to be my year.’’
